August 26, 2014
Paul in Corinth
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 18, 1 – 11:
After this he left Athens and went to Corinth. There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudios had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. He went to visit them and, because he practiced the same trade, stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. Every sabbath, he entered into discussion in the synagogue, attempting to convince both Jews and Greeks.
When Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began to occupy himself totally with preaching the word, testifying to the Jews that the Messiah was Jesus. When the opposed him and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your heads! I am clear of responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles. So he left there and went to a house belonging to a man names Titus Justus, a worshiper of God; his house was next to a synagogue. Crispus, the synagogue official, came to believe and many of the Corinthians who heard believed and were baptized. One night in a vision the Lord said to Paul, “Do not be afraid. Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you. No one will attack and harm you, for I have many people in this city.” He settled there for a year and a half and taught the word of God among them.
One day a woman came to see me and she had a very painful knee. I prayed to the Lord that He heals her. I blessed her in the name of Our Lord and Savior. After a few days she phoned me to let me know that her knee was healed and all the pain was gone. Thank you Jesus Our great friend.
Below you will find the message of Our Lord and Savior given to Father Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words,
“I bless you My brother Melvin and all My brothers and sisters who have given their heart to Me. One person I loved very much was Saint Paul whom we find in Corinth in the reading. He worked for Me with all his strength and he won many people there for Me. Many believed in Me and were baptized. The majority of the Jews however did not accept what he taught them. It was especially the Greeks who accepted his teaching and came to know Me and to follow Me. I also spoke to Saint Paul while he was at Corinth. I told him these words, ‘Do not be afraid. Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you. No one will attack and harm you, for I have many people in this city.’ You know how Saint Paul was treated in the other cities he visited. He was often thrown into prison. That is why he felt afraid while he was in Corinth. He stayed in this town for one year and a half and he worked very well.
I also call you to continue to work for Me. Do not be afraid of the people for I am with you to help you. I love you all.”
Father Melvin
P.S. What a very beautiful day we had on Monday. It was sunny all day and very warm. Thank you Lord.